title: [Vertebral metrics: application of a new mechanical instrument to evaluate the spinal column].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present the results of the first application of the new technology - Vertebral Metrics - the analysis of the 3D position of the vertex of each spinous process in pregnant women.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Vertebral Metrics was applied to women without associated pathology in four stages of pregnancy (12, 20, 32, 37 weeks gestation). We applied univariate linear models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that the differences that occur during pregnancy are more significant at the position y (anteroposterior). It was found also that there is a positive correlation between the biomechanical position of the vertex of each of the vertebrae with the homologous position of rest.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Through Vertebral Metrics innovative results could be obtained in analyzing biomechanics of the spine. A device that has different applications can be easily adopted in areas such as orthopedics, neurosurgery, pediatrics and rehabilitation. It should also be noted that this instrument is not exhausted in the sample of this research because it can be further applied to the general population.
authors.affiliation: Cefitec, Departamento de Física, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Monte de Caparica, Portugal.
authors.forename: Cláudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Quaresma
authors.forename: Inês
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.forename: Mário
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Forjaz Secca
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Goyri-O'Neill
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Branco
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D011247:Pregnancy; D013131:Spine / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D055815:Young Adult